Bundles of services in grassland-based cheese production systems from preserved environment areas

Abstract

Upland grassland areas can provide a balanced bundle of services, including provisioning services (high-quality products with a positive image for consumers), environmental services and territorial vitality. In order to analyze drivers of this diversity, four case studies were analyzed: Cantal and Laguiole production areas in the French Massif central, Franche-Comté region, and Swiss alpine pastures. Before presenting bundles of services in each area, we analyzed the context that led to the current situation from a historical perspective. Each case study was then represented using a simplified formalization derived from an analysis in terms of socio-ecological system. We finally discuss options for reconciling the productive, environmental and social performances of grassland-based livestock farming systems. It appears crucial to increase the fodder autonomy of dairy farms in order to reduce production costs and to increase the nutritional quality of milk and cheese. There are also strong links between the nature of the governance of value chains and the nature of the services provided. Territorial governance forms create more value by enhancing the use of local resources and by regulating production by dedicated professional organizations; they also appear to benefit environmental services and territorial vitality. Conversely, sectoral governance appears to be less favorable. Development of a hybrid form of governance (e.g. territorial alimentary) is one important option.